Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council

What Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council does

Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (MISILC) is a Michigan-based non-profit organization and federally designated Statewide Independent Living Council, operating since 2000 from Middleville, MI. Its core function is developing and monitoring the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) in partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (the Designated State Entity), the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Disability Network/Michigan, and Michigan's network of 15 Centers for Independent Living. The organization serves people with disabilities across the state — including individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities — by coordinating advocacy on accessible housing, transportation, mental health services, caregiver support, and ADA compliance. It does not provide direct services; instead it operates as a policy and planning convener, with its outputs delivered through SPIL documents, public council meetings, educational content, and partner referrals.

The organization is governed by an appointed council and led by Executive Director Steve Locke. Its operations are funded through federal grants administered via the Administration for Community Living under Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act. MISILC runs a small core staff (1-10 employees) and maintains an online presence through its website (misilc.org), Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter/X, alongside an ongoing blog ("Shining A Light") and an active caregiver storytelling campaign ("Calling All Caregivers"). It also coordinates the annual ADA anniversary / Disability Pride Month programming, including pop-up displays at Michigan libraries and disability rights history preservation with the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

MISILC is not a commercial enterprise: it sells no products or services, generates no product or SaaS revenue, and does not operate proprietary technology. Its competitive position rests on its statutory designation and convening role within Michigan's disability services ecosystem. The most recent strategic planning cycle covers Fiscal Years 2025-2027, and the organization has publicly positioned itself defensively on federal disability rights and DEI policy issues.

Name

Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council

Legal name

Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council

Website

https://misilc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (MISILC) is a federally designated nonprofit that develops Michigan's State Plan for Independent Living, coordinating policy advocacy and resources across 15 Centers for Independent Living for people with disabilities statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Independent Living Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Independent living programs
• State plan coordination
• Disability rights education
• Community disability resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Middleville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: MISILC operates as a nonprofit organization funded through government grants, primarily from federal sources through the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Funding supports the development and monitoring of the State Plan for Independent Living and coordination with Michigan's network of Centers for Independent Living.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MISILC develops and monitors Michigan's State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) in partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Disability Network/Michigan, and the state's 15 Centers for Independent Living. The organization provides free advocacy, educational resources, and coordination services on independent living topics including accessible housing, transportation, mental health, caregiver support, and ADA rights for people with disabilities across Michigan.

Product overview

The Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (MISILC) is a nonprofit organization that does not offer commercial software products. Rather, it provides government and advocacy services focused on developing Michigan's State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) in collaboration with 15 Centers for Independent Living and partner agencies. The organization delivers advocacy programs, educational content, and community resources addressing housing, transportation, mental health, and caregiver support for people with disabilities. Key programs include the SPIL development process, ADA 2026 celebration initiatives, the 'Shining A Light' blog, disability rights education through History Makers content, and caregiver storytelling campaigns. These services are delivered through a public website providing informational resources, meeting facilitation, and public input opportunities rather than a commercial product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) Development Develops Michigan's triennial State Plan for Independent Living in partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Disability Network/Michigan, and Michigan's 15 Centers for Independent Living. The plan outlines goals and objectives to improve lives of people with disabilities in Michigan.
• Independent Living Resources Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Michigan's 15 CILs provide services statewide to help people with disabilities avoid institutionalization and live independently
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Disability Network/MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability Network/Michigan represents the collective voice of Michigan's 15 Centers for Independent Living (CILs). They work together on leadership development, relationship building, and implementation of the State Plan for Independent Living.
• Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRS serves as the Designated State Entity for the SILS/CIL program. MRS collaborates with MISILC and Michigan's CILs in developing and implementing the State Plan for Independent Living.
• Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan's state agency providing services to blind and visually impaired individuals. BSBP participates in SPIL development and provides regular reports to the SILC Council.
• Michigan Developmental Disabilities CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState council working to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities have opportunities for community inclusion and independence. Provides partner reports to SILC Council.
• Michigan Department of EducationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency that provides reports to SILC Council and collaborates on issues affecting students with disabilities in Michigan.
• Michigan's 15 Centers for Independent LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based disability organizations that promote independence and self-determination. CILs provide essential services including peer support, housing assistance, transportation resources, and information and referral to help people with disabilities live independently.
• Grand Valley STARTminorOthersThe Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project is funded by the Michigan Department of Education to provide evidence-based training and technical assistance. Featured as a resource on MISILC website.
• Michigan Alliance for FamiliesminorOthersProvides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years) who receive or may be eligible for special education services. Featured as a resource on MISILC website.
• Grand Rapids Public MuseumminorOthersPartnership for disability history preservation. The museum holds artifacts related to living with disabilities in American history including medical devices, assistive technology, and historical objects. Located at 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Illinois Statewide Independent Living Council: ILSILC serves as Illinois's Statewide Independent Living Council, performing the same triennial SPIL development and CIL coordination role that MISILC fulfills in Michigan.
• New York State Independent Living Council: NYSILC is the New York counterpart to MISILC, performing statewide coordination of independent living services and SPIL development with New York's CIL network and state vocational rehabilitation agency.
• Texas State Independent Living Council: Texas SILC fulfills the same federal mandate as MISILC, governing the State Plan for Independent Living and coordinating with Texas's network of CILs and the Texas Workforce Commission (Designated State Unit).
• California State Independent Living Council: California's Statewide Independent Living Council performs the same federal SILC mandate as MISILC—coordinating with California's network of CILs and the state's Designated State Entity to develop and monitor a triennial State Plan for Independent Living.
• Florida Statewide Independent Living Council: FLSILC is Florida's federally mandated SILC, providing identical coordination, advocacy, and SPIL oversight functions as MISILC within Florida's independent living ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• National Council on Independent Living: NCIL is the national membership organization for Centers for Independent Living and SILCs. It sits above MISILC in the federal IL program hierarchy, providing national advocacy, training, and policy coordination that complement state-level SILC work.
• Disability Rights Advocates: Disability Rights Advocates is a national nonprofit advancing disability civil rights through litigation and policy advocacy. It pursues systemic change objectives that align with MISILC's policy and SPIL advocacy work, though at a national scale.
• The Arc of the United States: The Arc is a national disability advocacy organization focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities. It addresses overlapping independent living and community inclusion themes that MISILC pursues at the Michigan state level.

Regional players

• Disability Network/Michigan: Disability Network/Michigan represents the collective voice of Michigan's 15 Centers for Independent Living and is a core MISILC partner. It operates as a peer association organization serving overlapping Michigan-based disability advocacy and CIL coordination functions.

Others

• Independent Living Research Utilization: ILRU is a national center that provides training, research, and technical assistance to SILCs and CILs. It supports the same independent living ecosystem that MISILC coordinates within Michigan and serves as an enabling infrastructure peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/michiganspil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1ymn3dq5iMu0s0zkU1m_CA
• Facebookfacebook.com/MichiganSILC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/about

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council